Your staff and student recruitment strategy are sure to include a variety of digital channels. If you aren’t currently utilizing your school digital signage for recruitment you are missing out on a significant area of opportunity. Here are just a few recruitment strategies to consider for your school digital signage.
#1 Local Recruitment
Let’s begin with the most obvious, utilizing your school digital signage to recruit local students. This includes your top degree or vocational programs, as well as your niche degrees and programs. Post essential information such as:
- When the new semester begins
- When students can enroll
- How to enroll
- Where to learn more
- How long each program runs
- How much each program costs
- What types of payment options are available
- And more
#2 Evening Classes
Whether it’s to finish their degree, obtain a new degree, or qualify for a promotion—working adults require evening classes. People are considering changing their careers more than ever, thanks in part to the Covid-19 lockdowns and a host of other reasons. Even younger students who have day jobs may require evening classes. Inspire working community members to earn their degree or certification by highlighting your evening and weekend classes.
#3 Collegiate Certification Programs
An increasing number of universities are offering high-level certification programs, that cater to the needs of working adults. While 60% of adults seriously consider going back to school only about 10% (3 million) adults actually go back to school each year.
Why the gap between these two numbers? The biggest roadblocks are cost and time. While it’s not a degree, collegiate certification programs are increasingly accepted by employers as education. However, most adults are unaware that you offer cost and time-efficient certification programs, so be sure to post them on your school digital signage.
#4 Online and Hybrid
An increasing number of working students require online and/or hybrid classes. This includes live-streamed classes, at-your-own-pace classes, and programs that allow for a mix of online and live classes and hands-on clinics. Again, highlight the options as those looking for a career change or ongoing education may not be able to quit their full-time job to go to school.
While you can’t go into too much detail in a 3 to 5 second ad, at least name a few of the degree or certificate programs that have online or hybrid options available.
#5 Staff Recruitment
Use your go-to staff recruitment channels but utilize your signage too. Think beyond a job listing, to something as simple as sharing where to find your online job board. Maybe share the titles of a few open positions. Or why your school is a desirable place to work. In addition to paid and full-time positions, post your needs for part-time and seasonal staff. You can even post volunteer slots for upcoming school games and events. Maybe even offer a referral bonus for staff, students, and community members who refer others.
#6 Student Mentors, Internships, and Externships
Your school digital signage can be utilized to improve your outreach to community members who are interested in mentoring college students. Also, to business owners who are available for paid and free internships and externships. Many community members are interested in giving back to their community but are unsure of how to contribute. Your exterior signs along with strategic marketing and direct outreach are one of many ways to attract new businesses and professionals.
#7 Research Candidates
If you are searching for local research candidates, detail your needs on your school digital signage. Again, focus on the general criteria, and provide contact information for where to go to learn more. If you are looking for candidates beyond your local area, you can rent signage in other cities to help recruit candidates. This strategy alone can accelerate the rate at which you fill your research slots.
#8 Rented Signs
As we just mentioned when recruiting research candidates, you can rent out recruitment ads in other cities and states. Be strategic with where you rent your ads, focusing on nationwide big cities—and cities throughout your state. Focus heavily on areas you have a high percentage of students from, but don’t forget to branch out by targeting new areas.
Be mindful of where your ad space is located, particularly whether it will target high school-aged students, grad students, or working adults. For online-only classes and to recruit internationally, you can also rent out ad space in other countries.
#9 Summer Housing
If your school rents out your dorm rooms to students or travelers during the summer months, share your dates and rates on your exterior signs. This ensures that students who will be taking summer classes or staying for work or internships know their options. It also helps to spread the word of mouth for budget-friendly travel accommodations. Be sure to highlight amenities such as the use of the school pool and shared amenities such as the restrooms, showers, and kitchen.
#10 Beyond Recruitment
Your school digital signage can be pre-programmed to post the recruitment ideas above, and much more! With the ability to rotate between a variety of ads, announcements, and other communication—your options are endless. Be strategic, pre-programming communication by the day of the week and the time of the day. For example, target high schoolers in the hour or two after high school gets out. Target adults during morning and evening rush hour.
In addition to pre-programming your ads and communication, you can update your signs in real-time.
This can include any combination of:
- Date, time, and weather
- School spirit messages
- Inspirational quotes
- Upcoming games, plays, and events
- School closures
- General staff and student reminders
- Photos and videos of events
- A miniature virtual tour
- The score of last night’s game
- School, staff, and student accolades
- A campus directory
- And more!
Need To Upgrade Your School Digital Signage?
If your school is ready to upgrade or add more interior and exterior LED signs Mega LED Technology has you covered. We have an extensive portfolio of school signs, and we will talk you through the best options to meet your goals. Reach out today to get started!
